Automatic releasing device for burial apparatus.



, Patented Oct. 7, |902.

W. L. BARTH. AUTOMATIC BELEASING DEVICE FOR BURIAL APPARATUS.4

(Application led June 26, 1900.)

(No Model.)

IIII lll 113 velg tof.

Witlgesses:

TH: Nanms PETERS u1. Fuorallmo.. wAsumsTun, D,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'WILLIAM L. BARTH, OF BATTLECREEK, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMATIC RELEASING DEVICE FOR BURIAL APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming* part 0f Letters Patent No. 710,406, dated October'7, 1902. Application filed .Tune 26, 1900. Serial No. 21,694. (Nomodela To a/ZZ whom, it 71mg concern,.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. BARTH, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Battlecreek, in the'county of Calhoun and Stateof Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Releasing Devices for Burial Apparatus, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in detachable fastenings for thebands or cords of burial apparatus. It is intended more particularly forsuch detachable fastenings in use with a machine for the purpose oflowering coflins or caskets; but it may be used in connection withstraps or cords where a coffin or casket is lowered by hand.

The object of this invention is to provide a con venient, simple,strong, and safe .automatically detachable fastening device for thebands or cords used to lower cofflns or caskets into a grave.

A further object is to provide such a device the members of which shallbe very securely coupled until the cords or straps are entirely jslackand the fastening has dropped down away from the bottom of the casket orother load. t

A still further object is to provide an improved latch-lever connectionwhich shall re- .main securely coupled until the load is whollyreleased.

Still further objects will appear in the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in this specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is fully illustratedin the accompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification, inwhich- Figure lis a detail plan view of my improved fastening as itappears when locked together. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of thesame, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l, it being shown in operative positionin connection with a box or casket. Fig. 3 is a side elevation view ofthe same after the load has been` relieved and the cords or strapsslackened, showing` the position of the part-s when they automaticallyrelease.

In the drawings the sectional view is taken Ilooking in the direction ofthe little arrows at the end of the section-line, and similar letters ofreference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, D D' represent loweringstraps or cords. To the strap D' is secured a suitable loop A, the frontor engaging portion of which is at right angles to the direction of thestrap. The said engaging portion is preferably narrower than the strap,particularly if it is a broad strap, as is illustrated in Fig. l. To theopposite strap D is secured the opposite member B of the fastener, theengaging portion B of which is formed something like a hook, with adownwardly and forwardly eX- tending portion B. A small pivoted latch Cis provided for closing up on the engaging portion of the loop A. Aattened lever portion C of the latch extends upwardly and rearwardly tocontact with the under side of the box or coffin E to hold the loop Asecurely in position. This latch is pivoted at e on the main hookportion B. It will thus be seen that when the hook is in the operativeposition it is, in eect, a mousing-hook, the mousing being heldautomatically in position bythe action of the'load on the pivoted latchno matter what the load may be.

It will be observed in operation that when the load is lowered to asuitable support and a space left beneath for my improved fastening todrop down that as the latch is light the loop A will drop out of thehook B' and then can be easily. withdrawn under the finger portion B",which, as I have before stated, points downwardly and forwardly for thispurpose. It will thus be seen that when the load is lowered my improvedfastening will become automatically disengaged, when each portion can bewithdrawn, the rounded por tion of the latch permitting it to move alittle backward, when it will drop down against the shank of the hook Band will not engage any part where it may be passing. I desire to remarkin this connection that my improved fastening device can be greatlyvaried in its form without departing from my invention. A di'erent formof latch might be provided, and other variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art to which my invention pertains.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an automatic releasing device, the combination of a loop member A;an opposite member B having a hook-shaped engaging portion and adownwardlyand forwardly projecting portion beyond said engaging portionto hold it in an elevated position; and a pivoted latch adapted tocontact with the load for retaining said loop in position, as specified.

2. In an automatic releasing device, the combination of a loop; a memberhaving a downwardly-projecting engaging portion eX- te'ndcd into adownwardly and forwardly projecting portion; and means of retaining theloop in engagement with said engaging portion, for the purposespecified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two witnesses.

WILLIAM L. BARTH. [L 5.]

Witnesses:

M. V. KELLOGG, R. J. KELLEY.

